Leicester City on course to smash Championship points record - Maresca's impressive impact
Leicester City are flying high on top of the English Championship and they appear destined to secure an immediate return to the Premier League. Seven years after famously winning the title, Leicester were relegated last season after Brendan Rodgers was sacked and his replacement Dean Smith was incapable of preserving their top-flight status.
Naturally, Leicester lost key players in the summer as James Maddison joined Tottenham for €46.3 million, Harvey Barnes moved to Newcastle for €44m, Timothy Castagne signed for Fulham for €13m, while Youri Tielemans, Çağlar Söyüncü and Jonny Evans departed on free transfers. Leicester recruited smartly with Harry Winks and Conor Coady replacing the experienced departees. Stephy Mavididi and Mads Hermansen have impressed since their arrivals and they offer sell-on potential but their best signing of the summer was new manager Enzo Maresca.
Enzo Maresca: Pep Guardiola’s influence visible on former assistant
Maresca’s had a transformative effect on Leicester - especially their style of play - and the Italian deserves immense credit, especially after being appointed amid testing circumstances after their relegation. The 43-year-old won Serie A with Juventus and two UEFA Cup’s with Sevilla during an impressive playing career before progressing into coaching. Maresca spent time on the coaching staff at Sevilla and West Ham before making his name at Manchester City. He won Premier League 2 with City’s U21 side before stepping into management with Parma in 2021 but he returned to City the following year, after being sacked by the Italian’s after less than six months in charge following an unsuccessful start in Serie B.
While Maresca’s managerial credentials were somewhat questioned following his spell at Parma - his win percentage was just 28.57% - he remained highly respected by thr City Group and he became Pep Guardiola’s assistant following his return to England. Guardiola’s influence is noticeable as Maresca has adopted a patient, possession-based style of play with Leicester regularly dominating their opponents. They’ve scored the most goals (64), conceded the fewest (23) and enjoyed the second highest average possession (61.7%) in the Championship. There has, however, been slight criticism from a minority of the fanbase that Leicester’s approach can be boring with Maresca sensationally claiming he would quit if supporters weren’t happy after defeating Swansea City 3-1 at the end of January.
“You can feel the fans, but also when they’re not happy,” he declared. “Probably some people take some things for granted. But it’s not like this. Twenty-six wins out of 34 (in all competitions), it’s something unbelievable. Probably when you win, win, win at home, and you continue to win, people think it’s easy. But it’s not easy. I arrived at this club to play with this idea. The moment there is some doubt about the idea, the day after, I will leave. It’s so clear. No doubts. We have won 26 of 34, a huge number. If people think it’s easy and take it for granted, it’s not like this. Huge respect for the players and the effort they are making. Hopefully, we can give our fans the right joy at the end of the season.”
Leicester on track to beat Championship record points total
Ahead of facing Watford this afternoon, Leicester sit nine points clear of Southampton at the Championship summit, albeit the Saints have a game in hand. Leicester’s remarkable campaign is evidenced by the fact they’re on track to eclipse the record points haul in the Championship’s history. Reading’s title winning side of 2005/06 currently hold that title after amassing 106 points but Leicester could feasibly better it. Maresca’s men have amassed 2.4 points per game, which is higher than Reading achieved (2.3), and if their form continues at the current rate then they’ll finish with 110 points from their 46 games.
Leicester City’s star performers during Championship run
Several players have shone under Maresca but Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has undoubtedly been Leicester’s star performer. The 25-year-old is far too good to be playing in the Championship with Liverpool, Arsenal, Brighton and Brentford amongst known admirers. Dewsbury-Hall has contributed 10 goals and 10 assists, which represents a fantastic return from a central midfielder and he’s revelled under Maresca. Mavididi has delivered on his unquestionable potential since joining from Montpellier for €10m, scoring ten goals. The 25-year-old came through the ranks at Arsenal before joining Juventus in 2018 and he has the ability to play in the Premier League. Wout Faes, Ricardo Periera and James Justin have all been integral to Leicester’s defence that has conceded the lowest amount of goals in the league. While Jamie Vardy remains at the club despite losing his place as a guaranteed striker but the veteran striker has still scored 10 goals in 22 games.
- Date of birth/Age:
- Nov 23, 1996 (27)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2028
- Position:
- Attacking Midfield
- Market Value:
- €70.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Dec 9, 1997 (26)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Newcastle United
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2028
- Position:
- Left Winger
- Market Value:
- €35.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- May 7, 1997 (27)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Aston Villa
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2027
- Position:
- Central Midfield
- Market Value:
- €25.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- May 23, 1996 (28)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Fenerbahce
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2024
- Position:
- Centre-Back
- Market Value:
- €10.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jan 3, 1988 (36)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Manchester United
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2024
- Position:
- Centre-Back
- Market Value:
- €2.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Feb 2, 1996 (28)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Leicester City
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- Position:
- Defensive Midfield
- Market Value:
- €12.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Feb 25, 1993 (31)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Leicester City
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- Position:
- Centre-Back
- Market Value:
- €3.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- May 31, 1998 (26)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Leicester City
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2028
- Position:
- Left Winger
- Market Value:
- €11.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jul 11, 2000 (23)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Leicester City
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2028
- Position:
- Goalkeeper
- Market Value:
- €9.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Sep 6, 1998 (25)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Leicester City
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2027
- Position:
- Central Midfield
- Market Value:
- €30.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Apr 3, 1998 (26)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Leicester City
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2027
- Position:
- Centre-Back
- Market Value:
- €20.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Oct 6, 1993 (30)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Leicester City
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- Position:
- Right-Back
- Market Value:
- €8.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Feb 23, 1998 (26)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Leicester City
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- Position:
- Right-Back
- Market Value:
- €15.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jan 11, 1987 (37)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Leicester City
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2025
- Position:
- Centre-Forward
- Market Value:
- €1.00m
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 10.02.1980 (44)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Leicester City
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- In charge since:
- Jul 1, 2023
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 18.01.1971 (53)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Manchester City
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2025
- In charge since:
- Jul 1, 2016
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 26.01.1973 (51)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Celtic FC
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- In charge since:
- Jul 1, 2023
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 19.03.1971 (53)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Charlotte FC
- Current Position:
- Manager
- In charge since:
- Dec 12, 2023
- Total Market Value:
- €200.30m
- Competition:
- Championship
- Position:
- 1.
- Manager:
- Enzo Maresca
- Squad size:
- 26
- Latest Transfer:
- Thomas Cannon
- Total Market Value:
- €1.32bn
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 1.
- Manager:
- Pep Guardiola
- Squad size:
- 26
- Latest Transfer:
- Claudio Echeverri
- Total Market Value:
- €461.70m
- Competition:
- Serie A
- Position:
- 3.
- Manager:
- Paolo Montero
- Squad size:
- 27
- Latest Transfer:
- Carlos Alcaraz
- Total Market Value:
- €194.60m
- Competition:
- LaLiga
- Position:
- 13.
- Manager:
- Quique Sánchez Flores
- Squad size:
- 29
- Latest Transfer:
- Alejo Véliz
- Total Market Value:
- €439.60m
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 9.
- Manager:
- David Moyes
- Squad size:
- 25
- Latest Transfer:
- Kalvin Phillips
- Total Market Value:
- €78.55m
- Competition:
- Serie B
- Position:
- 1.
- Manager:
- Fabio Pecchia
- Squad size:
- 29
- Latest Transfer:
- Peter Amoran
- Total Market Value:
- €8.28m
- Competition:
- League One
- Position:
- 16.
- Manager:
- Rubén Sellés
- Squad size:
- 28
- Latest Transfer:
- Zane Monlouis
- Total Market Value:
- €143.60m
- Competition:
- Championship
- Position:
- 4.
- Manager:
- Russell Martin
- Squad size:
- 20
- Latest Transfer:
- David Brooks
- Total Market Value:
- €1.16bn
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 2.
- Manager:
- Mikel Arteta
- Squad size:
- 27
- Latest Transfer:
- David Raya
- Total Market Value:
- €511.75m
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 11.
- Manager:
- Roberto De Zerbi
- Squad size:
- 35
- Latest Transfer:
- Valentín Barco
- Total Market Value:
- €941.90m
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 3.
- Manager:
- Jürgen Klopp
- Squad size:
- 31
- Latest Transfer:
- Ryan Gravenberch
- Total Market Value:
- €414.88m
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 16.
- Manager:
- Thomas Frank
- Squad size:
- 34
- Latest Transfer:
- Hákon Rafn Valdimarsson